Sunday, December 11, 2011

Cats, Cameras, and Caring Less

So it's "BIG CAT" week at National Geographic. As much as I'd love to say "big deal', I do hold a certain fascination for these creatures, and I respect those photographers and filmmakers who spend weeks and months with the big cats to fill a good hour episode. I watch with awe and envy. I know what goes into every frame, and what it takes to get the shot that tells the story.

My own experience with cats and cameras, however, is not so glamorous. I've spent some time on safari and have learned a great deal about these cats, and I can tell you this much -

Cats couldn't care less about cameras. They couldn't care less about people with cameras, too. It doesn't matter if it's a cat person with the camera, or a filmmaker, or an idiot. The cat couldn't care less.

I have many friends who are cat people. They post silly pictures on facebook of their cat asleep in the sun or looking pissed off about something. When I go to their homes, I am overwhelmed with smell of cats. The cats, however, are nowhere to be seen, they couldn't care less that I've arrived after a long absence. They couldn't care less about a lot of things, and well, cats are just like that.

I'm not really a cat person in my every day life. When I come home from my travels, I actually like to know I've been missed. The pets I own physically rush to the door, wag their tails like helicopters, and smother me with affection. They're called dogs. There is no doubt in my mind how they feel about me. They care.

I can appreciate cats, however, especially if they are really big and live in the wild. When I observe cats in the wild through the lens of my camera, even the smell doesn't bother me. I watch long enough, and soon find myself reading their every thought (click). I get into their minds (click), and really connect in ways that I never experience with other people's kitty cats (click, click, click). And you know what I've learned? Cats couldn't care less. (delete, delete, delete).

Cats love to torment (click). Cats love to play games (click, click). Exactly what they gain from these games is nothing more than the satisfaction of having proven that they care not about anyone or anything other than themselves (delete). They certainly don't care if I've got the right lens on (delete), or need to change the battery (delete), or only have 3 frames left on the memory card (delete all? press OK to confirm).

Hang on, cats. I'm not going to let you off that easy. I can still get in your mind through my lens, remember? My camera is able to freeze a split second of your life, and even though in every frame your "I couldn't care less" subtext remains clear and consistent, there can be more to the story, and more to reading your thoughts, too. Well, at least this much more: "it's all about me."

Case and point: During a recent safari in the Maasai Mara, we happened upon a pair of lions laying in the grass. While the male was lost in his "all about me" thoughts, the female quite clearly "couldn't care less" about the male; she had something else on her mind.

With absolutely no concern for the fact that I still had a telephoto lens stuck to my camera, the lioness came right to the tree which stood literally within arm's reach of our vehicle. She could care less about the vehicle being there, and she could care even less that I was fumbling for a different lens in anticipation of what she might do next. Nope, she showed no consideration whatsoever, it was "all about her", and up the tree she leapt.

Turns out this was more than just a display to express how much she didn't care about my getting the shot with the right lens. At least, up in the tree, she was again distant enough that I could fit the cat entirely in the frame.
She made quite a show of finding just the right spot to settle.

"now what...."

Remember what I mentioned earlier? That bit about cats loving to torment and play games? Turns out that is exactly what she was up to. I mean, why else would she bother fighting gravity to get herself up in that tree?

"oh good, this'll show him...."

"I don't care that it's extremely uncomfortable...I look good"

Well yes, lioness, of course you look good...you're in a tree and surrounded by wildlife paparazzi! But I have news for you, dear cat. As far as my camera is concerned....it's not "all about you".
Cue the male.

"WTF???!!!"

"That B*#@%!!!!"

The photos tell the story. Cats couldn't care less. Cats love to torment. Cats live in an "all about me" world. But maybe, just maybe, they might actually care that there's a camera around.

I'm reading this and shaking my head. You're soooo right! About cats and about some cat lovers. My cat lover friend was the reason I ended up on safari but I ended up loving it. Would go back in a second. Cats, on the other hand, I'm convinced were people in the live just before the cat one. How else to explain that attitude?Fabulous cat shots!

About Me

Travel Photographer, Travel Writer/Blogger, and Travel Videographer. I freelance. And I love my jobs. I work for various companies and
clients in various capacities. From shooting for a destination's website or brochure, to leading luxury tours around the globe, to taking road trips with my family, I photograph and write about it all. With over 15 years of planning, organizing and leading luxury tours, I know the niche, and write about it authentically. Luxury goes beyond a free upgrade - it's an experience, or product, that's worth paying for. My blog is my own voice, a site that began and continues to be a venue to share photos and stories from my travels, both personal and professional. Any links I
extend promoting any companies or properties are done so of my own
volition. If I have been sponsored or compensated
as a blogger, I make it known upon posting with a disclosure. While my
blog doesn't make me rich, my travels do. It's all just too good not to
share. Enjoy!